Keeping sustainable soy high on the agenda
The sixth European Soy Monitor shows that while global soy production reached a record 397 million tonnes in 2024, sustainability progress is struggling to keep pace with growing demand. Although volumes of responsibly produced soy continue to increase, the share of FEFAC SSG-compliant soy consumed in the EU27+ declined from 54% to 44% as Europe's soy footprint expanded. The report highlights the need to combine regulatory compliance with continued investment in responsible sourcing, helping businesses, policymakers and civil society identify priorities for protecting critical ecosystems while meeting future soy demand.
Navigating a changing soy landscape
The report demonstrates how the soy sector is operating in an increasingly complex environment. Rising demand, geopolitical uncertainty, evolving EU legislation and ongoing pressure on ecosystems such as the Amazon, Cerrado and the Chaco are reshaping supply chains. At the same time, voluntary initiatives, landscape programmes and multistakeholder collaborations continue to drive action on the ground.
Building the evidence base for sustainable soy
Schuttelaar & Partners coordinated the development of the sixth European Soy Monitor on behalf of the ESM Coalition, building on a reporting series that has been tracking sustainability performance in Europe's soy sector since 2019.
Working closely with coalition partners and sector experts, we coordinated data collection, stakeholder input, analysis and reporting. We gathered and assessed data on European soy imports, sustainability standards and market developments, translating complex information into clear insights for decision-makers across the soy value chain.
We also placed the findings in the broader context of global soy production, pressures on critical ecosystems such as the Amazon, Cerrado and Chaco, and evolving policy frameworks including the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
By combining research, stakeholder engagement and strategic communications, the ESM coalition delivered a benchmark report that informs industry dialogue, supports evidence-based decision-making and helps drive collective action towards a resilient, sustainable and deforestation-free soy sector.
